DECORATIVE 



home. Small plants are fine for table decora- 

 tion. There is another variety in the market 

 A. compacta of dwarf er habit than A. ex- 

 celsa, and better adapted for window-culture. 

 To grow this plant well give it a soil of rich, 

 sandy loam. Shift from time to time as the 

 roots fill the old pot. Water moderately. 

 Shower frequently to make sure that the red 

 spider that worst enemy of all plants kept in 

 the dry, overheated atmosphere of the living- 

 room does not get a foothold on it. As a 

 general thing this is the only insect that ever 

 attacks it, but occasionally the aphis will be 

 found on the tender growth. The remedy in 

 such a case is sulpho-tobacco soap infusion, 

 applied with a sprayer. After the plant is in 

 a very large pot feed it by the application of 

 good fertilizers rather than by repotting it in 

 fresh soil. A plant two or three years old 

 ought to have from ten to twelve whorls of 

 branches and be from seven to eight feet tall. 

 When it gets too large for the room you can 

 easily trade it to the florist for smaller plants. 

 He will be delighted to make the exchange, as 

 large specimens are always in demand for dec- 

 oration on such occasions as balls and other 

 parties. The stately effect of a well-grown 



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